Troye Sivan and Rolex Elevate Melbourne’s NGV Gala to a Global Arts Stage

Some brands keep time. Others keep culture. Rolex has been doing both for decades — not loudly, but with a steady global presence that consistently aligns with the world’s most defining cultural moments. Through the Rolex Perpetual Arts Initiative, the brand has become a patron of music, architecture, film, and fine art, leaving a lasting imprint across continents.

This December, that legacy finds a new chapter in Australia with the NGV Gala in Melbourne. The black-tie event will not only showcase avant-garde fashion and attract international stars, but it will also spotlight a homegrown icon: Troye Sivan, who has been appointed as the Gala’s first-ever guest co-Chair. Together with NGV Director Tony Ellwood AM, Sivan will guide one of the country’s most dazzling nights on the cultural calendar.

Rolex as Principal Partner of the NGV Gala

For the first time, Rolex joins the NGV Gala as Principal Partner, building on its recent partnership with the National Gallery of Victoria, where it was named the official timepiece partner in 2024. This marks a strategic move that extends Rolex’s support of arts and culture in Australia, while connecting the Gala to a global narrative that includes Venice, Paris, and Los Angeles.

Tony Ellwood explained it best: “For over 50 years, Rolex has supported world-leading cultural institutions and exceptional artists through its Perpetual Arts Initiative. This new partnership with the NGV Gala further reinforces Rolex’s commitment to the arts and cultural scene globally.”

The Gala coincides with Westwood | Kawakubo, a groundbreaking exhibition bringing together more than 160 works from two of fashion’s most uncompromising legends: Vivienne Westwood and Rei Kawakubo. From punk tartan once worn by the Sex Pistols to Comme des Garçons’ famous “Lumps and Bumps” pillow-dress, Rihanna’s petal gown, and Sarah Jessica Parker’s corseted wedding dress from Sex and the City: The Movie — the exhibition promises to be a bold exploration of fashion history.

Rolex’s involvement ensures that the Gala will not only be a party but a platform for cultural dialogue — a continuation of the brand’s mission to support art that challenges, inspires, and endures.

Troye Sivan as Guest Co-Chair

Appointing Troye Sivan as the first-ever guest co-Chair marks a milestone for the NGV Gala. Known globally as a pop star, actor, and cultural trendsetter, Sivan represents a new generation of Australian creativity. His career reflects the very values embodied by Westwood and Kawakubo: a refusal to conform, a passion for originality, and a dedication to artistic evolution.

By placing Sivan at the helm, the NGV Gala merges high fashion with pop culture, ensuring that the night appeals to both traditional patrons of the arts and a younger, digitally savvy audience. With Rolex standing alongside, this union of heritage and innovation demonstrates how institutions can bridge eras and audiences seamlessly.

Rolex’s Global Footprint in the Arts

The NGV Gala may be the Australian chapter, but Rolex’s story as a global patron of the arts stretches far beyond Melbourne. The Rolex Perpetual Arts Initiative touches some of the most prestigious cultural events in the world, uniting disciplines that, at their core, share timeless values of precision, creativity, and endurance.

Venice: Architecture on Display

In Venice, Rolex is the exclusive partner of the Venice Architecture Biennale, running until late November 2025. The brand’s pavilion, designed by Nigerien architect Mariam Issoufou, is a model of sustainability. Its Murano glass ceilings shift color throughout the day, terrazzo floors sparkle with recycled Venetian glass, and a timber façade echoes the fluted bezel of a Rolex watch case.

This project shows how watchmaking and architecture share the same philosophy: an obsession with detail, durability, and harmony between tradition and modernity.

Paris: Celebrating Opera at the Palais Garnier

In Paris, Rolex marked the 150th anniversary of the Palais Garnier with a performance that gathered some of its most acclaimed Testimonees. The line-up included tenor Juan Diego Flórez, pianist Yuja Wang, Welsh bass-baritone Sir Bryn Terfel, lyric tenor Rolando Villazón, and soprano Sonya Yoncheva, all performing with the Vienna Philharmonic under conductor Yannick Nézet-Séguin.

The evening highlighted why opera endures, showcasing the partnership between timeless talent and timeless craftsmanship, with Rolex quietly ensuring that such traditions continue to thrive.

Hollywood: The Oscars Connection

In Hollywood, Rolex has become synonymous with the Academy Awards, supporting not only the glamour of the Oscars but also the unseen work of filmmakers, preservationists, and cinematographers who keep cinema alive. By investing in both recognition and preservation, Rolex demonstrates that art is not just about the present moment but about safeguarding creativity for future generations.

A Philosophy of Time and Culture

When viewed together, Rolex’s cultural endeavors form a consistent philosophy: time, art, and legacy are inseparable. The brand is not interested in loud sponsorships or fleeting moments of visibility. Instead, it invests in institutions and events that echo the qualities of a Rolex watch: precision, endurance, and understated elegance.

A pavilion in Venice, a stage in Paris, a red carpet in Los Angeles, and now a gala in Melbourne — these moments create a global network of cultural stewardship. Each initiative reflects Rolex’s role as both timekeeper and tastemaker, curating culture as carefully as it crafts its Oyster Perpetuals.

Why Troye Sivan and Rolex Matter Together

The appointment of Troye Sivan as NGV Gala co-Chair alongside Rolex’s debut as Principal Partner sends a powerful message. It suggests that culture is not static but constantly evolving — and that it thrives when tradition and innovation meet.

Sivan brings a contemporary, youthful energy, while Rolex contributes decades of cultural patronage and craftsmanship. Together, they create a dialogue across generations, celebrating art that is both rebellious and refined.

The Gala itself — framed by the Westwood | Kawakubo exhibition — mirrors this spirit. Just as Westwood and Kawakubo rewrote the rules of fashion, Rolex and Sivan remind us that cultural impact comes from those willing to innovate without forgetting where they come from.

What to Expect at the NGV Gala

Guests at the 2025 NGV Gala can anticipate more than just dazzling gowns and celebrity sightings. The event has a reputation for drawing international stars like Nicole Kidman, Natalie Portman, and Elizabeth Olsen, and this year’s edition promises to be even more spectacular with Sivan in the spotlight.

The Gala will serve as both a celebration of high fashion and a reflection on how global brands like Rolex support the arts. Attendees can expect a night that is glamorous but also deeply meaningful, reinforcing Melbourne’s position as a cultural capital on the world stage.

Conclusion: A Movement, Not Just a Moment

The story of Rolex, Troye Sivan, and the NGV Gala is not just about one night in Melbourne. It is part of a much larger narrative — a global movement where Rolex champions creativity, preserves tradition, and empowers the future of art.

From the shifting colors of glass in Venice to the soaring arias of Paris, from the Oscars spotlight in Hollywood to the bold fashions of Melbourne, Rolex proves that keeping culture matters as much as keeping time.

And with Troye Sivan helping guide the Gala, the message is clear: culture doesn’t fade. It evolves, adapts, and carries on — as timeless as a Rolex crown and as fresh as a new voice rising on the global stage.